February 2025: I am a Sylvotherapist!
Once again, Rhonda Britten (founder of the Fearless Living Institute), lent me support just when I needed it with her comment, “What a powerful realization! Acknowledging both parts of yourself - the scared child and the strong, capable adult - is such a courageous step towards true freedom. Giving that child compassion while stepping fully into your power is the ultimate act of self-love. Keep molding your rich, beautiful life on your terms - you are unstoppable!”
Without my black cat, Buddy; the best friend I’ve ever had, none of what I do would be possible I don’t think right now, so thank you, Buddy, and I’m immensely grateful for when the family are well, and for my home and gardens.
I’m very excited to announce that I successfully completed my Sylvotherapy Practitioner Certification, which includes worldwide IPHM accreditation! I enjoyed learning about how tree species protect, guide and educate us in different ways: I know there’s truth in this because I’ve experienced it when I’ve felt profoundly adrift: what I’m seeking is seeking me regarding my work in the woods, and I can see how this type of therapy could be of benefit to survivors of incest and how I shall be able to incorporate my music, yoga, art and meditation into my sessions.
Desperately in need of a break, I booked a camping and working holiday to Arrochar and the Isle of Gigha in Scotland to help with the clear-up of devastating tree damage done to the Achamore Gardens in Gigha by Storm Éowyn. Shetland is too expensive for me to visit, but I reckoned that I’m more suited to the much smaller (seven miles long by a mile wide) Gigha which has only approximately 170 residents and many exotic plants and trees on it. This experience shall definitely give me an idea as to whether island life in a small community is for me. It’s also possible to self-build on a plot of land on Gigha.
I love the ‘make do and mend’ philosophy that goes with camping: fly-tipped on a street I found the contents of a Mercedes car. Amongst all of this I found a large emergency medical kit (I shall need one for my sylvotherapy sessions), plus a sponge carry bag with lots of compartments in it. I upcycled this and put my camping toiletries and night equipment in it, enabling me to keep my stuff more together and accessible in the outdoors.
As I steadily chip away at my goals, more like-minded souls are entering my orbit: I like the look of Rubha Phoil intentional community / education centre on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and I was accepted onto the MSc in Green Building at the Centre for Alternative Technology!
Due to eating nutritious food that’s good for me and continuing to prioritize my self-care practices, I feel 80% better than I did at Christmas, and I noticed that I’m looking a lot more like my grandma now I’ve developed more lines on my face.
Doing a personal skills audit has been an empowering, fun exercise and it’s enabled me to see that I’m a survivor through and through.
Being free in nature is what makes me feel happiest: I can’t see the bigger picture of what I’m aiming for in life right now or even if it will be possible to do all that I have planned… I’m just being guided by what I love despite all of the tricksters out there.
Scribble Trees by Gemma Boyd